beauty

MIA FREEDMAN: My simple skincare routine for very confused people.

Recently, Kim Kardashian told The New York Times she would be prepared to 'eat poop' every single day if it would make her look younger.

Confusingly, she said this during an interview about her new skincare line which reportedly does not contain poop, but I respect her commitment to this potential development in beauty ingredients which I honestly did not see coming.

For those of us who would not eat poop even if it worked some Benjamin Button magic and had a catchy name like 'Faeces For Faces', I have a couple of alternative suggestions for skincare.

While you're here, if you're after more recommendations, listen to this episode of You Beauty where Leigh Campbell shares the five skincare products she packs when she's travelling. Post continues below.

I was having dinner with three of my best girlfriends a couple of weeks ago and I was shocked to learn that none of them use serums. Despite being incredibly smart and accomplished women who have multiple degrees and awards (of which I have none), they all knew jack sh*t about skincare, which made me feel incredibly clever.

To lean into this feeling, I emailed them all this week with a basic skincare plan that I thought I would share with you in case you, too, were baffled or intimidated by the whole beauty thing and just wanted someone to tell you what to put on your face.

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So here it is. A basic skincare routine that is minimal spend and minimal faffing that's pretty much suitable for anyone over about 30.

Morning routine.

1. Cleanser.

Use a cream cleanser, nothing that foams. Don't even speak to me about using face wipes instead of cleanser. It's like only wiping your bottom and never having a shower.

I'm sure you have a cleanser, you don't need me to suggest any BUT if you want to treat yourself and make cleansing special, Tatcha's The Rice Wash feels so incredible on my face it's almost orgasmic and I don't even know why. It's spendy though, at $52.

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Tatcha The Rice Wash. Image: Mecca. 

2. Vitamin C Serum.

I'm only going to give you two serums - Vitamin C for the morning and Retinol for the night, and they're the only two you really need. If there's a skincare brand you already know and love, they will almost certainly have a Vitamin C and Retinol serum, so you may want to try those. But you can get the ones I'm recommending at the chemist.

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For brightening dull skin and evening skin tone (pigmentation) the La Roche-Posay Pure Vitamin C10 Serum is good:

La Roche-Posay Pure Vitamin C10 Serum. Image: Chemist Warehouse. 

3. Sunscreen.

Ultra Violette's SPF50+ Supreme Screen is the best sunscreen I've ever used, and you don't need a moisturiser as well unless your skin is super dry - in which case moisturise after the Vitamin C serum and apply this last, before your makeup.

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Ultra Violette SPF50+ Supreme Screen. Image: AdoreBeauty. 

Note: No, you don't need any eye creams. Only use them if you like them.

Evening routine.

1. Double Cleanse.

Use a balm or oil cleanser first. Something like the Banila Co Clean It Zero Cleansing Balm.

Banila Co Clean It Zero Cleansing Balm. Image: AdoreBeauty. 

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Use it in the shower, but don't put your face under the hot water - use a flannel in the shower to take it off.

Your second cleanse should be your normal cleanser that you use in the morning, also removed with a warm flannel.

2. Retinol Serum.

Start with a mild one like the La Roche-Posay Retinol B3 serum every second night, and build up to every night.

La Roche-Posay Retinol B3 Anti-Ageing Serum. Image: Chemist Warehouse. 

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3. Moisturiser.

Pop your fave moisturiser over the top.

Oh - and a bonus product for when your skin has a freak out:

Avene Cicalfate+ Restorative Skin Cream. Image: Chemist Warehouse. 

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I always have an Avene Cicalfate+ Restorative Skin Cream on hand and I just use it for a few days after cleansing (no serums) until things settle.

It's also great to use as a moisturiser if your skin is dry.

To listen to actual experts in all things beauty, we have a daily podcast for your face called...You Beauty. You can listen here.

This article was published first in my weekly(ish) newsletter, Mia Culpa. If you liked it, you should  sign up to hear more from me, straight to your inbox.

Feature Image: Supplied.

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